'Community reads' set for June 22 at Mount Salem Vineyards in Pittstown

Mount Salem Vineyards announced its first “Community Reads” day, in partnership with The Book Garden of Frenchtown. The afternoon book discussions are slated for Saturday, June 22, at 54 Mount Salem Road, Pittstown.

The non-fiction book to be discussed is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” by Rebecca Skloot, at 2 p.m. The fiction book is “The Prisoner of Heaven,” by Carlos Ruiz Zafron, and it will be discussed at 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

The books were chosen by the Community Reads Selection Committee, which comprises Hunterdon writers and bibliophiles including Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat Pray Love;” Joy Stocke, author of “Anatolian Days and Nights;” Warren Cooper, Mayor of Frenchtown; Linda Hahola, archivist with the State of New Jersey; Myoung Wilson, librarian of Rutgers University; Robert Benson, proprietor of Chai Wallah Tea Shop, Frenchtown; and Peter Leitner, founder of Mount Salem Vineyards.

“Community Reads encourages Hunterdon residents to gather with their neighbors, including those who’ve never met before, to talk about really great books,” said Robert Rando, who chairs the Selection Committee and co-owns The Book Garden. “We live in such a vibrant and beautiful place, full of smart and very interesting people, and books are a great conversation-starter about important topics.”

Community Reads will choose two new books every three months and host meetings to discuss them. This month discussions are also being held at The Book Garden on Tuesday, June 25, 6:30 p.m. and on Thursday, June 27, 2 p.m.

“The winery offers a great alternative for people who don’t live in or near Frenchtown,” Rando continued, “so we’re thrilled to offer Community Reads meetings up there.”
Founded in 2005, Mount Salem Vineyards makes critically-acclaimed wine from Austrian and Northern Italian grape varieties grown at its estate vineyard near Pittstown.